She's the wife of the fourth president of the United States; a spirited charmer who adores parties, the latest French fashions, and the tender, brilliant man who is her husband. But while many love her, few suspect how complex Dolley Madison really is.

Only in the pages of her diary—as imagined by novelist Rita Mae Brown—can Dolley fully reveal herself. And there we discover the real first lady—impulsive, courageous, and wise—as she faces her harshest trial: in 1814, the United States is once more at war with mighty Britain, and her beloved James is the most hated man in America.

From the White House receptions she gaily presides over to her wild escape from a Washington under siege, Dolley gives us a legend ,made warmly human. For there has never been a first lady so testedèor one who came through the fire so brilliantly.

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

If one can acquiesce to the rather leisurely pace of most of this fictional portrait of First Lady Dolley Madison, the payoff will be Brown's re-creation of Dolley's psychological, political and social insights into life in the nation's capital during the War of 1812. A combination of imagined first-person journal entries and third-person narrative, this work by the author of the considerably more racy Rubyfruit Jungle and Venus Envy took Brown eight years to research, though she admits she had to "read between the lines"; an extensive bibliography is included. In Brown's portrayal, Dolley comes across as independent, perceptive, smart and emotionally strong. She is also depicted as witty--"the free press works in such a way that not one of us is free from it": this from a woman about whom an eager-to-shock press spread false rumors concerning her friendships with men, particularly French political minister Louis Serurier. Those looking for romantic intrigue will not find it here, since Dolley is devoted to her husband. We do find political intrigue, however, as Madison's Republican administration meets with often nasty opposition by the New England Federalists, who do not support the war. This is a careful, endearing depiction of an admirable woman who, after her husband's death, spent much of her final 13 years tending to the restoration of Washington. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.

From School Library Journal

YA?Brown's unusual technique of alternating narrated segments with Dolley Madison's fictional diary enables readers to gain insight into the woman's personality, opinions, family life, and events of her era. The exciting prologue is followed by chapters providing a historical overview of topics from domestic politics to the War of 1812. These can be tedious and difficult to understand, but the annotated list of characters helps tremendously. Occasionally the writing in the diary is unnatural?Brown is clearly providing background information rather than Dolley's feelings. However, the tension building to the British march on Washington is particularly well developed. An entertaining historical novel that combines love, suspense, and humor to reveal an oft-neglected era.?Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VACopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.

Most helpful customer reviews

I have to say I was disappointed in this novel; I was looking for more detail on daily life and less imaginary cocktail parties and political history redone up as a novel. I doubt Dolly Madison thought or conversed as she is portrayed here. She is indeed a "dolly", puppet for a history lesson from Author Brown. It was a quick read and a fun view into American history so I give it 3 stars, but for style and substance, it's lacking.

Rita Mae Brown delivers again...recommended reading! Dolley has a good flavor of Madison's era. Fortunately its written as a novel and not a textbook, making it very readable and occasionally juicy. I found it to be a gentle way to get acquainted with - and interested in - early American history. Interested enough to go seek out Dolley Madison's memoirs and letters...too bad they are out of print :(

This is a book long on accounts of parties and gossipy tidbits and short on historical accounts Dolley must have felt real horror as the British approached but this was not really portrayed in the book. Her servants seemed much more frightened. Dolley was more concerned with the politics of the day than with actual living. Altogether this book would not be missed if not read

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

Amazon.com:
20 reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

Interesting blend of history and fiction - a good read!May 31 1999

By
A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

Rita Mae Brown delivers again...recommended reading! Dolley has a good flavor of Madison's era. Fortunately its written as a novel and not a textbook, making it very readable and occasionally juicy. I found it to be a gentle way to get acquainted with - and interested in - early American history. Interested enough to go seek out Dolley Madison's memoirs and letters...too bad they are out of print :(

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Couldn't put it down.Aug. 4 2006

By
Starfire
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

I've plowed through a number of heavy historical books about Dolley Madison but none of them ever gave me the sense of the real woman behind the legend until this book. Written in a personable style of Dolley writing in her journal, it is offset by third person narrative filling in the historical happenings. The book is surprisingly complete and correct in political detail. In Ms. Brown's book, Dolley is a living breathing woman who 'fusses' with sister Anna, wholeheartedly throws herself into her husband's political career, ignores her son Payne's wanton selfishness (too painful to contemplate), and deeply loves her husband James, even though she and 'the great little Madison' seemed to be polar opposites at first glance. It is their relationship that is the most interesting to me; they seemed mismatched in personality, James shy and introverted and Dolley bubbly and outgoing. James and Dolley Madison shared a love for the ages and reading about them in a novel form is a splendid read; the Madisons sound like one would imagine they would talk to one another. Maybe a few modernisms creep into their speech, but that for makes easier reading. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction or is just in the mood for a good romance with political backgrounds.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

DolleyDec 26 2010

By
Sonja
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase

One of Rita Mae Brown's best works! I was amazed at the similarities of todays politics vs the third president of the United States.

DolleySept. 21 2012

By
PCox
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase

"Dolley" an interesting account of our 5th First Lady. Never having read much about any of the 1st Ladies of this nation, but throughly enjoying the works of Rita Mae Brown, I decided it was about time to correct my lapse in education. I'm very glad I picked this book to start with. It is written not in the usual narrative format but rather in a much more interesting mix of diary entries and narrative. The setting is a war without popular support, bad economy,skyrockteting national debt, warring factions and almost total gridlock in the Congress, an embattled president - does any of this sound very familiar?? The year is 1812, 200 years ago, and not much has changed. We are a fledgling nation at war with the powerbroker of the world England, who's main desire is to bring the "upstart rebels" to heel,if not as a colony again at least into the commonwealth. Into this seething, boiling stewpot of politics and national problems we view the life and feelings of a woman in the "thick of things". This book is a very good "read" and has encouraged me to continue learning about the lives of our Frist Ladies. I sincerely hope it will do the same for you.

History Brought to LifeFeb. 21 2012

By
D. Pattison
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

As I read this book, I thought about all the time I spent yawning my way through history classes. This is an exciting look at the interpersonal relationships of people long dead. Watching her Quaker mother face down a British soldier on horseback in her own home must have instilled in Dolley an ironclad determination to face adversity with all of the vivacity which her personality displayed. Brown gives James Madison a dimension which is seldom seen in our ancestors. If you are bored by historical facts, you may find your curiosity stimulated once again. The parallel between past politics and today's is very interesting.